Cell-wall Composition and Structure of Yeast Cells and Conjugation Tubes of Tremella mesenterica

Abstract

Cell walls prepared from vegetative yeast cells and from hormone-induced conjugation tubes of the basidiomycete T. mesenterica had similar compositions. Evidence was found for 1,3-.alpha.-glucan (yeast 38%, tube 25%), 1,3-.beta.-1,6-.beta.-glucan (yeast 33%, tube 48%) and chitin (both < 3%) in the walls. The walls also contained xylose (5-7%), mannose (6%), glucuronic acid (approximately 2%) and traces of galactose. Protein amounted to less than 2% of the wall weight. The cell capsule was very insoluble and could not be removed from the cell wall. The conjugation hormone did not appear to exert its effect on cell shape by causing gross changes in wall composition.